Squad news

THINKING OF BETIS

31 Jan 2008Lotina will repeat the same scheme that gave good results against Real Valladolid. This means the same 5-2-2-1 formation and also the same players that performed on the past weekend at the Riazor. The novelty is that the Basque will choose between Aouate and Mun??a in order to accompany Fabricio in the list of called players, while Manu will return to Fabril.

As it was expected, coach Miguel ?ngel Lotina will repeat the same strategy and line-up that achieved the victory over Valladolid during the past weekend. The Me?±aka-born coach has trained the same 5-2-2-1 strategy during the week and he did it emphasising two key points: the defensive work in midfield and the velocity during the counterattacks.

The thing that Lotina didn't like about the past game at the Riazor was the facility that Valladolid had in order to reach Deportivo's defensive line, that's why Depor's coach has been suggesting to the midfielders that they should begin to put pressure over the rival a few meters more deeply than where it was done against Valladolid, the other factor that the coach emphasised is that the counterattacks should have more speed, meaning this is going to be the main resource that will be used in the quest for the goals.

About the line-up, it will be the same one that faced Valladolid. This means that Fabricio will continue to be the goalkeeper, the line of five defenders will be composed by Manuel Pablo at the right-back position, Filipe on the left and the trio Lopo-Pablo Amo-Coloccini on the centre. In midfield, Lotina will play with a trident with Juan Rodr?­guez, who will be covering the right wing and will have some defensive tasks, Antonio Tom??s who will entirely play in the centre of the field, and De Guzm??n, the Canadian will have a more advanced position. Meanwhile, Guardado will have freedom to perform in attack and on the left wing, while Xisco will remain as the lonely striker.

The novelty is that Lotina will choose between Aouate and Mun??a in order to be the substitute of Fabricio. In this way, Manu will return to Fabril's starting eleven. Guardado and Mun??a suffered some physical problems during Wednesday's session, but they were recovered on Thursday although they didn't participate in the complete session. Cristian and Taborda are also fit to play meaning the squad doesn't have any injury worry for Saturday's game against Betis (22h00).